StillSmart

So, her indoors wants gin, she lets me play silly buggers most of the time so although I don't drink it I'll build something to make her some.
I use the tri clamp system on my still so wanted to make something that is simple and compatible with what I have already, after a good hunt for supplies I found some mesh I had ordered for pyrotechnic use but was still spare and clean, the 'T' piece was ordered ages ago when I was going to go 'Boka'.



I used the angle grinder with a slitting disc to section off an amount to start the basket. I wrapped it around a bar to get shape and welded it together, it's quite a challenge to weld wire together but I managed it with the help of a jubilee clip.



Next I welded on some bits of welding rod to make the bottom of the basket.



I then cut away the part of the basket I no longer needed and made a disc compatable with a tri clamp, I could not figure a way to weld the top of the basket to the disc because it needed to be tacked whilst inside the 'T' piece so I used a couple of small bits of bar.



I managed to weld it all together with a bit of faffing, not my best work as the mesh just disappears when you get it hot enough to weld but is fit for purpose.



Looks quite neat when assembled.



So now I have a frame for the mesh I cut up some 40# screen and formed the end cap around a bit of bar by pleating it and fixing the shape with a hammer by striking the pleats to set the shape.



Mesh inserted.



I have made the condensor already but may choose to make a smaller one, probably not, I'll post back more pictures when I continue.

A small amount of vapour will fit past the basket and not collect flavour, will this be an issue or normal?

I think you will be ok. As long as it is very slight.

A small amount of vapour will fit past the basket and not collect flavour, will this be an issue or normal?

Mate, the boiler and column will have so much 'Hot Fog' swirling around that it will be impossible for any of it not to collect flavour from your botanicals.
Chillax.
Double negatives do work.

Robert.

I thinks Mash's advice still holds water, things tend to take the path of least resisstance although I see what you are saying if there is an excess of booze steam then it's not going to queue to take the easy path it will take any path.
Botanicals are waiting to be delivered although I have not bought citrus peel as I intend to just close shave some citrus from Aldi and dry it in my dehydrator, sure that will be fine for the first go.

OK Folks, it is a good time for a reminder of what actually is going on and the two completely different - and complimentary - processes that make it so sensible to put some botanicals in the boiler and some in the basket. This is just an extension of herbal medicine.

Maceration
When you steep the botanicals, this is a cold infusion. You are making tea. It is solvent extraction using both water and alcohol as solvents. When you then warm up the boiler you are making a decoction. This is a hot extraction of even more plant material, oils, resins, gums etc.

You subsequently boil this "tea" to drive off volatiles in the usual manner. It is good for roots barks and other hard materials.

Vapour Infusion
The main process at work is simple evaporation. You heat the botanicals and the volatile components evaporate. The alcohol vapour is simply a transport mechanism to carry the volatiles to the condenser. Off course it is also the source of the heat. There is a secondary process of solvent extraction as the hot vapour condenses onto the botanicals and then drips into the bottom of the basket. Some of the baskets pass the incoming hot vapour through this liquid (think thumper action) to liberate more volatiles but not all of them do.
This is good for peels and more delicate plant material where you do not wish to actually boil it in hot liquid.

It is completely sensible to combine both methods to suit what you are trying to get into your product.

And don't forget that with some gin you take your final product and soak other botanicals in it to add another flavour layer. Gin can be a cocktail compiled by using different methods with different plants.